I was able to watch and photograph a fight between two coots from start to finish. Before the fight started, one coot swam to shore and assumed the "posture" position. It held its wings away from its body slightly elevated, extended the white patches on its tail and lowered its head to water level. The entire time it kept its eyes on its opponent which was offshore. When the fight began, it was fought with the feet only as I saw no attempt by either bird to peck at its opponent. The fight ended when one bird broke off the fight and dove to escape.